Pressing device



Ja1 1.20, 1942. D, RAHAM 2,270,290

PRESSING DEVICE Filed 001:. 26, 1938 INVENTOR. Vzr g zzalz G/zz/zam,

M @WVM ATTO Y5- Patented Jan. 20, 1942 PRESSING DEVICE Virginia D, Graham, Evanston, Ill. Application October 26, 1938, Serial No. 237,076

'3 Claims.

This invention pertains to a pressing device,

and more particularly to a device adapted for household use, and one which may be used to retain such articles as napkins, handkerchiefs and the like in sorted, sanitary and pressed condition.

In the normal household there are a great many articles used daily, particularly linens, which are of different classifications and use, and consequently must be stored in classes so that they can be readily obtainable. Of these articles the most usual are napkins of different species such as dinner napkins, luncheon napkins, cocktail napkins, etc., as well as articlesof wearing apparel such as handkerchiefs of different kinds. In stacking these articles it is desirable that they be kept in nonmussed condition so that they can be useable Without the necessity of ironing them before eachuse. Also, in travelling frequently handkerchiefs, neckties, and the like, become mussed due to relative movement of the articles packed, for instance, in a suitcase.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a device wherein articles may be placed which will keep said articles sorted and sanitary, and in unmussed condition.

Another object is to provide an inexpensive yet attractive set of pressing devices which will press or keep in pressed condition articles packed there- Yet another object is to provide a pressing device which retains its flat condition, which may be cleaned or washed, which will not distort, and which may have a removable cover thereon.

With these and various other objects in view, the invention may consist of certain novel features of construction and operation as will be more fully described and particularly pointed out in the specification, drawing and claims appended hereto.

In the drawing, which illustrates embodiments of the device, and wherein like reference characters are used to designate like parts Figure l is a perspective elevation of one form of device embodying the invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional elevation of the device shown in Figure l, the same being taken substantially in the plane as indicated by the line 22 in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a perspective elevation of a modified form of the device embodying the invention;

Figure 4 is an enlarged perspective elevation of one corner of another modified form of device embodying the invention;

Figure 5 is a perspective elevation of yet another modified form of the device embodying the invention;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary end elevation of an edge, specifically the edge opposite the hinge edge, of the device illustrated in Figure 5 showing an elastic fastening means for the device;

Figure 7 is a perspective elevation of still another modified form of the device embodying the invention.

Referring first of all more particularly to the device illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the device consists essentially of an upper member I0 and a lower member I2. Each of the members Ill and I2 includes a fiat board-like member I4 which is preferably of non-warping material such as plyboard, a light metal alloy, or a seasoned cardboard so formed as to eliminate all moisture. Each of the boards I4 has a covering I6 thereon which preferably is made of material to prevent the entrance of moisture, said covering being non-contractable or distensible so as to have no tendency to distort the board I4. The material is preferably cleansable or washable, but it may be of some material such as cretonne, or the covering may be made up in sets of different colored materials which may be removed from time to time or replaced by other material.

However, where the device is made up in a permanent fashion the boards I4 may be attractively covered by a white leatherette, fabricoid, or the like, which are herein considered as equivalent, which has no odor so that the material pressed will have no odor even though stored for a long period of time. Where such a covering is used, it preferably consists of an outer covering member l8 which is secured to the board on the outer side thereof, and is flanged over the edges of the board as at 20, and reflanged as at 22, extending inwardly on the inner side of the board I4 and suitably secured thereto as with glue, or the like. An inner covering member 24 is placed over the inner surface of the board and overlaps the flanges 22 as at 26, being tightly secured thereto.

In order to complete the assembly and maintain the members I0 and I2 in operative position, a wide elastic 28 is provided adapted to encircle the upper and lower members Ill and I2, said elastic being preferably the same color as the covering of the members In and I2, For example, if white covering is used, the elastic 28 would be white.

The pressing devices may be attractively merchandized by providing a plurality of the assemblies l0, I2 and 28 of different sizes and similar shapes, or of different sizes and different shapes, the devices being packed in a Cellophane wrapping suitably decorated. These devices permit linens to be collected and stored in a convenient manner, prevent loss of the articles so collected and stored, and prevent dirt from reaching the stored articles.

As a variation of the device illustrated in Fig- I ures 1 and 2, the upper and lower members 30 and 32, as shown in Figure 3, may be made with the flanges 34 and 36, each member preferably being provided with only two oppositely arranged flanges alternated with the flanges on the other member so that a telescopic effect may be produced. Of course, in this modification, as well as in the succeeding modifications, the covering means and the elastic retaining means may be provided as already described.

In the modification illustrated in Figure 4, the upper and lower members 38 and 40 are provided with a pair of oppositely arranged flexible flanges 42 and 44 also alternately disposed on the upper and lower members.

In the modification illustrated in Figure 5, the upper and lower members 46 and 48 are retained by elastic hinges 50 to compensate for different thicknesses of material to be pressed, it being understood that elastic means 28 may also be used, or a simple elastic fastener may be used on the opposite side, which fastener may conveniently take the form of the elastic member 52 retained on the upper member 46 and snapped in place as at 54 on a snap means provided on the lower member 48.

In the modification illustrated in Figure 5, as well as in the other forms of the device, intelligible indicatory characters may be applied to the upper and/or lower member for diiferent pur! poses. For example, as shown, the upper board may be labelled with the word napkins to indicate what is contained in the pressing device, or the character of the napkins may be designated, such as cocktail napkins, dinner napkins, etc., or either with or without the indicatory characters, a monogram may be applied to one of the boards, such as illustrated by the initials V. G.

In the modification illustrated in Figure '7, the upper and lower members 56 and 58 are provided, shown held in place by the elastic 60. The lower member 58 is similar to the member l2.

The member 56 is provided with a Window 62 therein closed by a transparent material such as glass, Lucite, Cellophane, isinglass or the like, the window being formed for the purpose of permitting sight of the articles stored, without the necessity of opening the pressing device.

It is to be understood that I do not wish to be limited by the exact embodiments of the device shown, which are merely by way of illustration and not limitation as various and other forms of the device will of course be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the claims.

I claim:

1. In a device of the character described, the

, combination of a pair of shaped, flat members,

each member being formed of substantially rigid material, each member being covered by a substantially moistureproof, non-contractable or extensible, cleansable material, and elastic means for urging said members toward each other for the purpose set forth.

2. In a device of the character described, the combination of a pair of shaped, flat members, each member being formed of substantially rigid cardboard, each member being covered with -Leatherette, the covering of each board extending across the outer face of said board and being flanged adjacent each edge of the board, the flanges being folded over the edges and secured to the inner face, an inner covering member being secured on the inner face of the board and overlapping and secured to the flanges, and elastic means for urging said members toward each other for the purpose set forth.

3. In a device of the character described, the combination of a pair of shaped, flat members, each member being formed of substantially rigid material, each member being covered by a sub stantially moistureproof, non-contractable or extensible, cleansable material, the covering of each board extending across the outer face of said board and being formed with separate flanges adjacent each edge of said board said flanges being folded over the edges and secured to the inner face, an inner covering member being secured on the inner face of the board and overlapping and secured to the flanges, and elastic means for urg-v ing said members toward each other for the purpose set forth.

VIRGINIA D. GRAHAM. 

